NYC Helicopter Crash: Family Awarded $116 Million in Fatal 'Death Trap' Flight

NYC Helicopter Crash: Family Awarded $116 Million for Fatal 'Death Trap' Flight

A jury has awarded $116 million to the family of Trevor Cadigan, one of five passengers killed in a fatal helicopter crash in the East River in 2018. The helicopter, operated by FlyNYON and owned by Liberty Helicopters, crashed after a passenger tether got caught on a fuel shutoff switch, stopping the engine and causing the aircraft to rapidly sink.

The jury found that FlyNYON and Liberty Helicopters were primarily responsible for the crash, while Dart Aerospace, which manufactured the malfunctioning flotation device, was also held partially liable. The passengers, who were wearing store-bought harnesses intended for construction workers, struggled in vain to free themselves from their restraints, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation.

The NTSB criticized FlyNYON for its use of the harnesses, claiming they were difficult to escape from and exploited a regulatory loophole to avoid stricter safety standards required for tourist flights. FlyNYON promoted “sneaker selfies” — images of passengers' feet dangling over lower Manhattan — but avoided using terms such as “air tour” or “sightseeing” to maintain a certification with less stringent safety standards.

The helicopter crash prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to temporarily ground doors-off flights with tight seat restraints, later resuming with requirements for restraints that can be released with just a single action.

The Cadigan family's lawsuit aimed to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Trevor Cadigan's father, Jerry Cadigan, a Dallas broadcast journalist, tragically passed away during the trial.

This substantial financial award serves as a reminder of the importance of aviation safety regulations and the devastating consequences when those regulations are not followed.